Hong Kong determined to build public housing on golf course despite recent objections at town planning hearings: development chief

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn vows to deliver on city’s 10-year housing supply goal despite rezoning delay

Different parties, including Hong Kong Golf Club, tournament organisers and even pro-establishment figures have spoken out against building 12,000 public flats on site

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The government will take back a 32-hectare site, known as the Old Course, from the golf club in September. Photo: May Tse

Published: 4:43pm, 18 Jun 2023Updated: 6:33pm, 18 Jun 2023

Hong Kong’s development chief on Sunday said the government remained determined to build public housing on part of a century-old golf course despite strong objections voiced at recent town planning hearings.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho also vowed that the city’s 10-year housing supply goal would not be affected by a delay to the project brought about by the government altering the site’s proposed use to “undetermined”. The change was implemented to buy time for amending the plan’s housing layout and density, as requested by environmental authorities.

Different parties, including the Hong Kong Golf Club, tournament organisers and even pro-establishment figures, spoke out against the plan to build flats on the 9.5-hectare (23-acre) section of city’s oldest course at the recent hearings held by the Town Planning Board.

“I am not surprised to hear so many opposing voices. The public hearings on land use are usually attended by people who are against government plans. Those who support the plans often do not show up,” Linn told a television programme, referring to her experience during her time as the board’s chairwoman from 2017 to 2022.

“But the government’s original commitment [to the proposed development] remains unchanged. I often say that the government should not waver easily on things it aspires to do when opposing voices appear.”

The club leases 172 hectares of land in Fanling. But under the redevelopment plan, the government will take back a 32-hectare site on the Old Course in September, which includes 9.5 hectares earmarked for 12,000 public housing flats. The rest will be reserved for conservation and recreational uses.

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